Device for visual inspection of metallic balls



A. J. OBORSKI 2,608,307

DEVICE FOR vrsum. INSPECTION OF METALLIC BALLS Aug. 26, 1952 Filed May 24, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

a ZVVENTOR.

Aug. 26, 1952 QBQRSKI 2,608,307

DEVICE FOR VISUAL INSPECTION OF METALLIC BALLS Filed May 24 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 E B; i v INVENTOR.

A. J. OBORSKI 2,608,307

DEVICE FOR VISUAL INSPECTION OF METALLIC BALLS Aug. 26, 1952 Filed May 24, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

49/2 JObU/t? A J OBORSKI 2,608,307 DEVICE FOR VISUAL INSPECTION OF METALLIC BALLS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. k (1050/5/13, 6 Q9 Aug. 26, 1952 Flled May 24, 1950 Patented Aug. 26, 1952 oE'vIoE'FoR VISUAL INSPECTION OF MENTALLIC BALLS Adolph J. Oborski, Chicago,- Ili. A icati n May 24, 1950, Serial No. 163,846

9 Claims. (01. 214-1) The present application is a continuation in part of the application, SerialNo. 130,003, filed November "29, 1949,'now abandoned.

,The present invention relates to a device for imparting to steel balls a rotary movement in orderthat thesame may be subjected to a visual inspection for determining the perfection of the steelballs used for ball-bearing and the like.

Another object or the present invention is the provision of means for imparting to steel ballsa rotary movement along a plurality oftheir axes so as to expose the entire peripheries of the balls to a visual inspection in order to determine whether or not the balls have any flaws or imw perfections, so that imperfect balls may be discarded. i

A furtherobject of the present invention i the provision of a tray provided with a plurality oi? openings, into which a plurality of steel balls may be positioned, said tray co-acting with a traction support, such as a rubber pad, so that when the tray is placed in a contactual relation with a tractionsupport and is shifted thereon, a rotary.

movement to the steel balls, which contact the traction support, may be imparted for the purpose orfacilitating a visual inspection of the balls.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision ofatray provided with a plurality of openings, which, adjacent the upper face of the tray are. of a diameter larger than theirdiameter adjacent the lower face of the tray, which openings from seats for steel balls, and which permit the steel balls to contact a traction support, such as a rubber pad, when the tray is laid thereon in contactual relation, and whereby the steel balls may be capable of rotary movement when the tray is shifted upon said traction support for the purpose of exposing the entire peripheries or the steel balls for facilitating a visual inspection thereof. I j

still further object of the present invention is theprovision of means, in association with a tray of a. character hereinabove indicated, for fillingall of the openings in the tray at a given time. i

Another object of the present invention isthe provision of a box having a stationary plate and a shiftable plate, each provided with-a plurality of openings, the openings in the two plates being capable oi. coming into or out of register when the shiftable plate is shifted into one or another direction, sothat the ballsstored in the box may pass through the openings in thetwo plates when the same are in registenand whereby they may be deposited in theopenings in the tray for simultweeterellin s 1 9 eve n s: n the .tray- Another object of the present invention is the provision of a guiding hopper in association with the said box, into which a quantityof balls may be poured and by means of which the balls may be guided for proper distribution in one or two layers over and above the upper, shiftable platei y A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a storing hopper into which-a1 comparatively larger quantity of balls may be de--- posited, with means associated therewith whereby a smaller, predetermined quantity ofballs may be caused to flow into the said guiding hopper for shifting therefrom upon the said upper, shiitable plate.

Another object or the present invention is the provision of an inclined track connecting said guiding hopper with said storing hopper, whereby the balls due to gravity may roll from the latter into the former, with means associated with said. track for regulating the quantity of balls "rolling from said storing hopper into said guiding hopper at any given time. With the above general objects in view and others that will appear as the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel con struction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claims. In the drawings forming a part or this applica-fl tion, and in which like designating characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views: Fig. 1 is a plan elevational view of the present device; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof M Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, illustrating a pair of perforated plates, with openings therein in register for permitting passage of steel balls therethrough t'o'dropupon and fill a tray disposed therebelow; Fig. 4 is a similar view. with one plate shifted with relation to the other plate so as to bring-the openings in the two plates out of register and thereby preventing passa e of steel balls above the plates through the openings, preparatory to, the withdrawal of the tray with steel. balls thereon; w Fig.5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sec tional view through the tray; Fig. 6 is a top elevational view of a guide or a modified construction for guiding the tray in its agitating movement;

Fig. '7 is a cross-sectional view on line "l-'l of Fi 1;

81S a e paliview o the v I' a =liiii with a storing hopper added thereto, with a track connecting said storing hopper with movable hopper, upon which track the balls are caused to roll from said storing hopper into said movable hopper, with means for regulating the quantity of balls rolling from the former into the latter; and

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the machine, with the cross-section of the said storing hopper and the track.

Referring in detail to the present drawings, there is shown therein table it supported upon legs Supported by the lower ends of said legs II is ledge l2.

A substantially rectangular box, includingrear wall l3, front wall I4 and a pair of side walls 15, is rigidly afitxed to said table It] by means of screws l6, passed through said table l6 and engaging said side walls l5. The walls of said box are rigidly interconnected by any suitable means. The upper end of said box is open, as is clearly seen in Figs. 3 and 4. I

Hopper H, in a spaced relation with the walls of said box, enters the said box through its open upper end, and'is supported in a suspended relation by a pair of brackets l8 which'are rigidly aflixed to the upper ends of side walls I5 of said box.

' Said rear wall |3, and side walls I5 are provided, adjacent their lower ends, and on the innerfaces thereof, with a continuing groove H! for reception therewithin of the marginal portions of stationary plate and shiftable plate 2|. Front wall l4 on line with said grooves i9 is recessed, as at 22 through which said plates 23 and 2| may be shifted into their operative position within the box and within groove l9.

Stationaryplate 20, by its front edge, remains flush-with the outer faceof front wall I4 when the remaining marginal edges. thereof repose within groove 9. Shiftable plate ,2|, however, is narrower than said stationary plate 20, as is seen in Figs? ande, in order that the former may be capableof shifting transversely of rear wall I3 and front wall I4.

Said stationary plate 26 and said shiftable plate 2| are each provided with a plurality of round openings 23, slightly larger than the diameters of steel balls 24 to be passed through said openings 23 in both of said plates when said openings are in register, as is seen in Fig. 3. At the upper faces of said stationary and shiftable plates '20 and 2|, and adjacent each opening 23, the body portions of said plates adjacent said openings are chamfered, as at 25, for facilitating rolling of balls 24 into said openings 23.

Rigidly affixed to the upper face of the rear marginal portion of said shiftable plate 2| is bar 26, accommodated within recess 21 madein the rear wall I3. Similar recess 28 is made in front wall |4 through which said bar 26 may be extended when' said shiftable plate 2| is shifted in position within the box through opening 22 made iir 'the'saidifront'wall I4. I I

II Affixed'to the outer face of one of said side walls I5 is post 29, the upper end of which is bifurcated for receiving therewithin lever 3|], which is pivoted upon pin 3|. The outer, front end of said lever has handle 32 attached thereto. The opposite end of said lever is bent, substantially, at a right angle, and is directed downwardly, and is bifurcated for receiving therewithin in pivotal relation arm 33, the opposite end of which pivotally connects with bar 34, which is keyed to the end of rocker shaft 35 Said rocker shaft 35 is supported for rocking movement with- 4 in a pair of brackets 36, which are rigidly affixed to the outer face of said rear wall l3. Collars 31, rigidly aflixed to said shaft 35, are in contact with said brackets 36 for preventing longitudinal shifting of said shaft 35.

Intermediately of said brackets 36, said shaft 35 has arm 38 keyed thereto, the lower end of said arm 38 being bifurcated for receivingtherewithin the-outer end of said bar 25." The end of said arm 38 carries pin 39 which is extended through slot 40 made in said bar 26, for providing a pivot for actuating said bar 26 and shift the same longitudinally into one or the opposite direction.

When lever 30 is raised, as seen in Fig. 2, arm 38 will remain in a substantially vertical position, as is seen in Figs. 2 and 3. In that position of arm 33 shiftable plate 2| by its rear marginal edge will remain within groove l3 in the rear wall l3, with openings 23 thereof in register with openings 23 in stationaryplate 20, permitting passage of balls 24 throughthe two sets of saidopenings 23. When however said lever 30 is shifted into a downward direction, a rocking movement to shaft 35 will be imparted, through the medium of arm 33 and'bar 34,'for shifting the lowerend of arm 38 towards the front wall M of said box. This operation brings openings '23 in shiftabl'e plate 2| outof register with openings23 in said stationary plate '20, as is clearly seen in Fig. 4.

This operation does not permit balls 24 to pass through both sets of openings, although ball 24 may rest within openings 23 of said shiftable plate 2| during the shifting movement of said latter plate.

The said box is filled with balls 24 by dropping them thereinto through hop-per so that the balls within the box rest upon said shiftable plate 2|. Of course, the lowermost of said balls 24 will fill openings 23 in said shiftable plate 2|, or will pass through openings '23 in said stationary plate 20, if both sets ofopenings 23 are in register; In order that balls24 may not enter recess 28 plate 4|, attached by means of screw 42 to the upper end of front'wall I4, forms a skirt adjacent the inner end of saidrecess 28, thereby preventing any balls 24 within the box to enter saidrecess 28. Said guiding hopper 1 by its lower end is in a spaced relation with said shiftable plate 2|, the space therebetween corresponding at least to the diameter of single ball 24, but does not'exceed double diameters of balls 24. By virtue of this arrangement, when hopper I1 is filled with balls 24 only the lowermost balls 24 in direct contact with shiftable plate 2| will be capable of spilling laterallyof hopper l7. Were it otherwise, or were hopper entirely eliminated, balls 24 within the box would constitute a heavy mass which would prevent plate 2| from shifting or balls 24 from filling openings 23. By virtue of th spaced relation of hopper I! with plate 2| as well as by virtue of the spaced rela-tion of the walls of hopper H with the walls of box defined by walls l3, l4 and I5, the lowermost layers of balls 24 above and upon plate 2| define a sufiicientlyloose mass which does not prevent balls 24 from filling openings 23"and does not prevent plate 2| from shifting when actuated by lever 30. I I Co-acting with said plates 2|! and'2 is tray 43, which is insertable through opening 22 in said front wall l4, and in its operative position is disposed below said seen in Figs. 3 and 4. I I I Said tray 43 is provided with a plurality of openings 44, which, on transverse cross section through said tray 43 are of frusto-conical shape,

a na l e 9; as is the upper ends of whichare wider; and the lower ends of which are constricted, for providing seats forballs 2.4. l ,Said openings.,. 44 are of a diameter considerably smaller than the] diameter of balls 24, so that barelyla small portion of the hemisphere of ball, 24 may be received within any one of said openings 44. However, said openings 44 are sufiiciently wide so that-when,

balls 24 are seated therewithin, a smallperiph eral portion of said balls areext'endedlthrough tray 43. The body portion of tray 43'atits lower face, adjacent each opening i44listchamferedl'as at 45. Said openings in tray 43,Avvhen lthelatter remains in an operativeposition with, relation to said stationary plate 20, are in aline'mentwithi.

openings 23in said stationary plate 20, as is seen in' Figs. 3. and 4. Tray 43 further; provided with a'plurality'of upwardly projectinglugs 46, which contact with the underface of saidsta tionary plate 20, and maintain said tray 43 in a proper spaced. relation; fromsaid stationary plate .20! ,t iAffixed' .to the at theupper face thereof, isangle member 41, of

athickness lesser than the height of lugs .46 so. as; not to, interfere with the. operation, offlthe, latter. uTheyerticallportion of said angle memev ber 41 contacts withrthe ,front'face ,of .said front wall |4whei1 tray 43 remains belowstationary plate- 20 infcondition to receive. ballsf 2 4.,- The} vertical portionofsaid angle member 4|Iis considerably longer than ,thelength of the said box,, so; thattheends ofithe vertical portion of said. angle members, 4L. extend considerably beyond 4 and laterally ofsaid side walls, l5, as is seen in AffiXGd-toeach-end .of said vertical portion of angle member 41, and at the rear face thereof, is black 4,8,,from the lower end of whichcylindrical roller- 43 downwardly projects.

Cfociperating. with tray 43 is supporting plate 50, whichhas rigidly affixed to itslower. face a cylindrical stud 5|, entering sleeve 52. Said sleeve 52 enterspthrough an openingtmadelinv table iill and extends upwardly thereabovei, r :Said

sleeve -52 is, integrally, :formed ,with :plate 53,.

whichdsaffixed to the underface of table l by means of; a plurality ,of screws, 54 Integrallyc formed with said -stud and downwardlyda pendingtherfrom, is a reduced cylindricalboss 55 nteg 'rally .iormed with said, boss. 55 4 is rod 56 3Whi$h downwardly extends, through plate 51. Plate 5 l rigidly connects withplate- 53 by means oli a pluralityof screw bolts, 58. qCoil spring 59,, encompassing rod 55abears by its lowenend against plate 5.1,,and against stud 5| lbyv it upper enda- Thereduced boss 55. in conjunction with said-studfile-provides,- a shoulderiatsaid stud 5| against 'WhiCh S9.-id: coil spring. 53 bears and with which the same is. in-contact The upper end of coilfispringl remains in contact with the- -peripheryiof said boss 55 for maintaining face of stationary plate 20. When an operator's front edge ofisai djtray, i and foot placed upon treadle B5 presses the latter, rod

shifting of plate 5|] and tray 43, in order to bring ing, theballs from enteringopenings 23 ins d,

the latter awayfrom said stationary plate 20, as is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4.

Placed upon table Hi, forwardly of the front wall I4 is rubber pad 61 for the purpose herein- In the operation of the device steel balls are poured into hopper H to contact with and spill uponshiftable plate 2|. When openings 23 in the, twoplates 20 and 2| are in register, as seen inMFigQ 3,the.lowermost balls 24 in hopper l1 will enter said openings 44 in tray 43. The thickness of plates 20 and 2! and the length of lugs 45 arepredetermined, so that when openings 23 in the? two plates 29 and 2| are in register it is possible for only two balls 24 to remain in a stacked relation withinjsaid openings 23 and seats 44, a s is clearly seenin Fig. 3, It is noted; that :in that stacked position of said balls 2 4;

only an upper portion of the body-of the upper;

most ball enters opening 2 3 in the stationary plate 29, major portion of the body thereof still;

remaining within opening 23 in said shiftab lelv plate 2|. t V I H By virtue of the condition last hereinabpve mentioned, when said plate 2| is shifted the uppermost balls 24 remaining within the open-:

ings of said plate 2| will be caused to spring upwardly, and ultimately rest upon the body of stationary plate 20, thereby efiectively prevent;

stationary plate 20. The shiftingmovernentot said shiftable plate 2| is brought about by imparting rocking movement to said shaft 3 ,,arm 3Beand. bar 21, as was hereinabove described, When said .shiftable plate 2| has been shifted, to, its inoperative position; illustrated in Fig the lowermost balls 24 that have theretoforei passed through registering openings 23 in plates. 2!! and 2|, are within seats 44 upon tray 43, readyv to be withdrawnwith said tray 43 when the latter is shifted throughopening 22 forwardly of the, box. Thatishifting of tray 43 is accomplished. bymanual grasping of the free ends of the verr, tical portion of angle member 47. Of course, when said, tray 43' has been filled withr balls 24, prior to the withdrawal of said tray 43 from the: said box through opening 22, treadle 65 is stepped upon forbodily shifting of said tray 43 withballs reposing thereon ina downward-direction in. order to withdraw completely said balls from, openings 23 in-said stationaryplate 20-, position indicated by dotted lines in Fig; 4, for bringing, the balls upon tray 43, out of the path of said stationary plate 28. Foot pressure upon treadle B5 is maintained until tray 43 is completely withdrawn from the box. 1

The body portion of plates 20 and 2| adjacent the .uppereiid of each opening 23 ischamferedi This construction facilitates-the uppermost balls within-openings 23 in said shiftable plate 21 to spring upwardly and away from the lowermost balls 24. alreadyirernaining upon tray 43 when a shifting movement is imparted to said shiftable plate 2| in order to bringitsr openings 23 out of register with openi'ngsmZB in the stationary platei20 l i t I In order-i maintainsaid stationary plate'20 in positiori and'fto prevent its shifting'an L-shaped insert 65, by one of its legs, is inserted within the front end ofeach side wall l5 and each end of theifront wall M, for preventing forward-shifting a eoesov 7. of said stationary plate 20. Said plate 29 is recessed at its endsadjacent the front edgethereof for accommodating one leg of said inserts 68. The other legs of said inserts 68 contact the outer faces of side walls l and are there rigidly and,

disengagably affixed. Shiftable plate 2| at its front corners is also suitably recessed to provide clearance past said inserts 68, in order that the latter may not interfere with the shifting movement of said plate 2 I.

It is noted that plates 29 and 2| and tray 43 are interchangeable with similar plates and tray of varying diameters of openings 23 and seats 44 but of diameters corresponding to an given size of balls 24 in order to accommodate various diameters, either larger or smaller, of balls 24. When insertsfifi have been disengaged from side walls |5 and withdrawn, stationaryplate 20 may then be withdrawn and another one substituted in lieu thereof. with openings 23 of a different diameter'corresponding to the diameter of balls 24 to be deposited upon tray 43. Shiftable plate 2| may also be Withdrawn from the box, upon first disconnecting pin 39 from bar 26. When plate 4| is disconnected on disengaging screw 42, bar 26 may be withdrawn from the box and through recess 28 when said shiftable plate 2| is shifted in a forward direction, that is forwardly of. front wall l4.

Means are provided for agitating tray 43 and imparting rotary movement to balls 24 resting upon said tray 43 in order to expose the entire peripheries of said balls upon tray 43 to a visual inspection in order to determine Whether or not the balls are otherwise perfect and do not have any flaws upon their faces.

' Thatlatter means includes a pair of channel guides 69, one coacting with each of said rollers 49. When tray 43 is within the box, and disposed below said stationary plate 29, with the vertical portion of angle member 4? in contact with the front wall !4, said rollers 49 are already within the adjacent ends of said channel guides 69, as is clearly seen in Figs. 1 and 2. As said tray 43 is shifted forwardly rollers 49 shift within said guides 69 during the forward shifting movement of said tray 43. Rubber pad 67 constitutes a support forsaid tray 43 during the shifting movement of the latter. As said tray 43 shifts upon said rubber pad 57, said balls 24, tending to partially extend through openings 44, as was hereinabove mentioned, contact with pad 6'! thereby imparting to said balls 24 a rotary movement in one direction, that is longitudinally of said pad 6'!; This aifords visual inspectionof the balls upon tray 43 as the same is shifted upon pad 6'! and as said balls 24 rotate due to the friction exerted thereon by said pad 91.

Pad 61 need not necessarily be made of rubber. A wooden board or a metallic sheet will give equally good results.

In order to imp-art to said balls 24 upon tray 43 rotary movement in several directions, that is along a plurality of their axes, said tray 43 must be agitated into a number of directions in order that said balls 24 may be viewed from a number of angles so that the entire peripheries of the balls may be subjected to inspection. To accomplish this purpose suitable guides are provided adjacent the opposite ends of said channel guides 59 which guide said rollers 49 in order to impart a suitable agitating movement to tray 43.

The guides for rollers 49, for the purpose of imparting an agitating movement to tray 43, when the same reposes upon rubber pad 61, includerblocks 10, each of which has an L-shaped edge, upon which a plurality of serrations H are made. Co-acting with each of said blocks 10 is plate 72, having an L-shaped recess, co-extensively with which a plurality of serrations 13 are made in the body portion of said plate 12, along said recess. The serrated edges in blocks 10 are in a spaced relation with the serrated edges in plate 12, as seen in Fig. 1, so that said blocks Ill in conjunction with spaced plates 12 define sinuous recesses 14. The horizontal portions of said recesses 14 are turned to the same direction, and by their free ends communicate with the ends of said channel guides 69.

When tray 43, with the vertical portion of angle member 41, blocks 48 and rollers 49 is ex tended forwardly, said rollers 49 will enter'th'e horizontal portions of said recesses 14. Shifting of said rollers 49 along the horizontal portions of said/recesses 14, until said rollers 49 cometo' the corners of. said recesses 14, will impart an agitating movement to tray 43, generally along a horizontal line, with a jerking motion imparted to tray 43, and along vertical plane, as said rollers 49 strike serrations H and 13. This guiding movement will impart a rotary movement to balls '24 upon tray 43, generally upon a horizontal plane, that is transverse of pad 61, When said.

rollers 49 hit the vertical portions of said recesses 14 an agitating movement of tray 43, opposite of that hereinabove described, takes place. .The vertical portions of said recesses 14 impart to balls 24 a general rotation longitudinally with relation to pad 61, with short lateral movement, due to rollers 49 clearing several serrations H and 13 in the vertical portions of said recesses 14.

Blocks l0 and plate 12 are affixed, by meansof screws 15, to metallic inserts 16, which in turn are rigidly affixed to table H) by ,means of screws 11. v

The modified form of guides for rollers 49, for the purpose of imparting an agitating shifting movement to tray 43, is shown in Fig. 6. The modified form of said guides includes block 18, which is affixable to inserts 16 by means of screws passed through apertures 19. Block 18 has recess 80, which is open at one of its ends, along one edge of block 18, as at 8|. Said open end 8| of recess 89 communicates with channel guide 69 for reception therewithin of roller 49. Recess generally follows an oblique direction with relation to block 18. The bod portion of said block 13 adjacent the s ides of said recess 80 has alternate horizontal and vertical edges, for defining alternate horizontal passages 82 and vertical passages 83. By virtue of this construction of the guide, shown in Fig. 6, a general diagonal rotary movement to balls 24 upon tray 43 will be imparted, with relation to pad 61, with short alternate rotary movements, once transverse and then longitudinal with relation to pad 61, as said rollers 49 alternately pass along horizontal passages 82 and vertical passages 83 in recesses 80.

Whether the agitating movement to tray 43 is imparted by guides 10- 12, or by guides 18, the ultimate function of either will be the same, because each pair of said guides will cause the rotary movement of balls 24 upon tray 43 in all possible directions so as to subject said balls to the visual inspection from all possible angles for detecting any flaws or imperfections upon the surface of the balls in order that such balls may be discarded;

As was noted, seats 44 in tray 43 are of sufiiciently large diameter, permitting portions of balls 24 upon tray 43 toextend past the lower face of tray 43, were said tray lifted. By virtue of in register.

openings 23 in the two plates out ofiregister,

a plurality of standards 88' theiront wall of saidn'storing hopper 84.

this arrangement, when tray 43 remains in contactby its lower facewith rubber pad 61, the

latter provides traction for the balls Which are in contactwith said pad 61;

Thus, when tray 43 is shifted upon the face of said rubber pad 61, the body portions of said tray 43 adjacent openings 44 guide balls 24 in their rotary movement upon pad 6].

Fromjthe hereinabove descriptions it will be apparent that the main object of openings 23 in both plates 29 and 2| is to deposit in unison'a single layer of balls 24 upon tray 43frorn hopper when said openings 23 in the two plates are Shifting of plate 2| in order tobring preparatory to the removal of tray liii irom the box,"eifectively bars the balls inhopper H from feeding through the two platesjin'the absence of tray43 therebelow. r l U 7 When guiding hopper I! is loaded with" some of the balls spilled upon shiftable plate 2| through thefspace" defined by the lower end offisaid hopper (I1 and said plate 2 it is oftendiificult to agitate "said" plate 2| "through lever andshaft due ltothe weight of the balls'withinsaid hopper l1 pressing and weighing upon said plate 2|.

obviate this difiiculty I have devised a storing hopper from which halls may be shifted to'said guiding hopper in such smaller quantities at any given time asmayhe desired'in orderto render'said plate 2| capable of shifting at all *times. i Referringynow more particularly to Figs. 3' an Qthere is shown storing hopper 84capableof receiving and holding a large quantity of metallic constitutes thebottom'of saidhopper 84,"downwardly slants towardssaid guiding hopper l1.

'Thejrear wall of said guiding hopper I1 is cut away as at 86 for receiving in the resulting'recess the front end of said track 35. A pair of wings 8'1, extending rearwardly of said hopper |7 from the side marginal body'portions 'of the rear wall ofsaid hopper I'Iad'jacent said'recess'86. Said "wings't'l' maybe integrally formed with the rear wall of guiding hopper H, or they may be affixeds, towalll3; QM

.1 Said Wings 81 maintain said track in" an operative connected position with relation to guiding'hopper I'l The frontend of said track 85 rests upon the horizontal body portion of therear wall of said hopper ll adjacent said recess 85. Said track 85 and saidhopper=84 are supported "per 84 may pass and-roll-downwardly upon said I track 85 andinto'guiding hopper l1. Co-acting With-said plate is gate 92, disposed iorwardlyiof said'plate 90 for the purpose of selectively opening or closing said slot, 9L as said gate 92 is shiftedeitherupwardly or'down-l w ar'dly f,""The front terminationsflof theside walls of said storing hopper 84 are turned inwardly for defining lips 93, which, coacting with guides 89 constitute guiding means for upright shifting of said gate 92.

-10 i iq the. up e e o sa xisataflli 11 84, with which arm 95 connects. Saidarmiiiis pivotally supported; upon post 96 which imam issupportedb and upon table II], Saidarrri 95 extends fromthe central portion of said gate 92,

at whichsaid lug 94 is connected, so'thatsaid arm is directed in a diagonal direction with relation to track 85, and extends towardssaid post96, which is at aside of said track 85. So'medistancepast said postflfi said arm 95 is bent soth'at its outer-free end remains laterally of the *box defined by walls l3, I4 and I5, and remains ina parallel relation with the side walls l5 of said box, and is disposed thereabove. The free endof said' fa'rln 85 carriesjhandleii'l by means of which said'fll'lli 95 ,maybe angula rly shifted upon post -85; "in either; direction-for the purpose of raising lor=lowering-said-gate 92. i

Qoacting with said trac k 85, and extending rrom each side margin thereof is wal1' 98, which in cooperationwith said track 85 provide a chute "foi the balls froms'tlori-ng hopper- B4 to guidin hopper Said track 85" is positioned within iwings8T Withsaidside walls 98 in contacttherewith. Both said side 'walls- 98 and said wings 81 argslotted for accommodating closure B9 which is guided therewithin for upright sliding movement; y l l When said jgate 92 andsaid closure 99 are'both openthat isin T23 raised position aboye track-' 8 5, the" balls stored in hopper '84 will be permitted to The duantitypf' balls passing into said* gu-id-i-ng balls. Inclined track 85;the 'rearend of'which it hopper at any given timemaybe regulated by gate 92'andclosure'il9 i the sizes of the openings made by the-r aising of By-virtue of said storing hopper 84 gate 92 'and I closurefifi the quantity of 4 balls passing .into-fs'a-id *guidin'g hopper-lland upon shif -table plate -2-I,

7 may be regulated, and such quantity ofballs-may be causedyto drop upon said shiftable-pla t'e z'l' as may be required many given time-,thereby elimihating an undue load -of-ba1ls upon said-sh-iftable inadetherein "without departing-from the What-I-clai'rn as new-is 2- 5 traction support normally" in contactwith lower face of said tray for effecting contact 'of plate 2 I *which may preventsaid -s hiftab1e -plate 2 I to shift for proper distribution of balls thereon t- V v M l t -Whil-e there is described hereina-prferred embodir nent of the present invention it isnevertheless 'tobe understood that minorchanges may be 'rit andscope'of the invention as claimed.

1. A device for-revolving steelballs-to facilitate a visual inspection thereof comprisinga tray, said tray being-provided with a plurality of' openings withinfwhich the individual ballsflare receivable, saidopening's being ofisuific'iently large diali for normally-permitting portions of the p eries ofthe balls to extend throughfsaid'tr f fr a the lesse ;P se j e Wilih ,said traction support, said block-"being prosupport, a guided member" 1 carried Ilda hlockirl a statiohary relation i ided aiece'ss --of a sinuous formation said guided member being 5 receivable within said reces's', {on shifting said "guided member "w iirl said recess 'said tray being capable' of shifting for imparting to theballs fll s d she t:stream rs s pon said traction support in a numberordirctions as predetermined by the formation of said recess ev lvmg "ht 2. A device of the class described comprising a. hopper, said hopper being adapted to receive a plurality of metallic balls, a stationary plate disposed below said hopper,a shiftable plate in association with said stationary plate, both of said plates being provided with a plurality of openings, means for shifting said shiftable plate for bringing the openings in the two plates into or out of register, and a removable tray disposed below said plates, said tray being provided with a plurality of openings of diameters smaller than the diameters of the balls, said openings in said tray beingin an alinement with the openings in tions of said tray adjacent said openings in said tray defining seats for supporting the individual balls deposited upon said tray.

3. A metallic ball handling machine comprising a guiding hopper, a shiftable plate disposed therebelow, a stationary plate disposed below said shiftable plate, said plates being provided with openings, said openings being adapted to selec-' tively come into or out of register on shifting said shiftable plate, means supported on said machine below said plates to receive and hold individual balls in spaced relation when said openings are in register, a storing hopper adapted to receive a quantity of balls, and means in association with said storing hopper for passing therefrom a predetermined quantity of balls into said guiding hopper and upon said shiftable plate.

4. A metallic ball handling machine comprising a guiding hopper, a shiftable plate disposed therebelow, a stationary plate disposed below said shiftable plate, said plates being provided with openings, said openings being adapted to selectively come into or out of register on shifting said shiftable plate, means supported on said machine below said plates to receive and hold individual balls in spaced relation when said openi s are in register, a storing hopper adapted to receive a quantity of balls, and means in association with i said storing hopper for passing therefrom a predeterminedquantity of balls into said guiding hopper and upon said shiftable plate, said means including an inclined track connecting said storing a guiding hopper, a shiftable plate disposed therebelow, a stationary plate disposed below said shiftable plate, said plates being provided with openings, said openings being adapted to selectively come into or out of register on shifting said shiftable plate, means supported on said machine below said plates to receive and hold individual balls in spaced relation when said openings are in register, a storing hopper adapted to receive a quantity of balls, an inclined track connecting said storing hopper with said guiding hopper, and a shiftable wall in said storing hopper, said wall defining an adjustable slot in said hopper in communication with said track for regulating the quantity of balls passing from said storing hopper into said track.

6. A metallic ball handling machine comprising a guiding hopper, a shiftable plate disposed therebelow, a stationary plate disposed below said shiitable plate, said plates being provided with tively come into or out of register on shifting said shiftable plate, means supported on said machine below said plates to receive and hold individual balls in spaced relation when said openings are in register, a storing hopper adapted to receive a quantity of balls, an inclined track connecting said storing hopper with said guiding hopper, a shiftable wall in said storing hopper, said wall defining an adjustable slot in said hopper in communication with said track for regulating the quantity of balls passing from said storing hopper into said track, and a shiftable gate in the path of said slot for intermittently closing and opening said slot. I

'7. A device for revolving steel balls to facilitate a visual inspection thereof comprising a tray, said tray being provided with a plurality of openings within which the individual balls are receivable, and a traction support normally in contact with the lower face of said tray, said openings being of sufficiently large diameters so as to effect the contact of the balls with said traction support, when a shifting movement is imparted to said traythe balls being adapted to revolve in said openings due to the friction engendered by said traction support upon the balls.

8. A device for revolving steel balls to facilitate a visual inspection thereof comprising a tray, said tray being provided with a plurality of openings within which the individual balls are receivable, a traction support normally in contact with the lower face of said tray, said openings being of sufficiently large diameters so as to effect the contact of the balls with said traction support, and means for shifting said tray upon said traction support in a number of predetermined directions for imparting to the balls a revolving movement within said openings along a plurality of their axes.

9. A device for revolving steel balls to facilitat a visual inspection thereof comprising a tray, said tray being provided with a plurality of openings within which the individual balls are receivable, said openings being of sufiiciently large diameters for normally permitting portions of the peripheries of the balls to extend through said tray, a traction support normally in contact with the lower face of said tray for effecting contact of the balls extending through said openings with said traction support, means forming a surface adjacent the tray, and means secured to said tray ooacting with said surface to effect a revolving movement of said balls along a plurality oftheir axes as said tray is moved relative to said traction support. v

ADOLPH J. OBORSKI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,202 Peters June 27, 1839 1,342,733 Austin June 8, 1920 2,457,220 Fowler et a1. Dec. 28, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 19,326 Great Britain 1908 584,227 Great Britain Jan. 9. 1947 

